Cowlitz Tribe sees setback in infrastructure plan for casino site

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Ed. Note: The image previously associated with this post was not a rendering of the Cowlitz Tribe's proposed casino. The image has been corrected and replaced.

Artist's rendering of the proposed Cowlitz Casino Resort. Image from Cowlitz Indian Tribe Environmental Impact Statement

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The Cowlitz Tribe of Washington has seen another setback in its long-delayed casino plan.

In an August 11 decision, the state Growth Management Hearings Board ruled that a plan to extend a sewer line to the 152-acre casino site violates state law. The city of La Center and the tribe were told to come up with a new plan.

Casino opponents -- including for non-Indian card clubs -- say the ruling should force the tribe to look for another casino site. The city has already asked for a hearing and an attorney believes the case will go to the state's highest court.

The city's attorney also believes the state law issues will become moot once the Bureau of Indian Affairs places the casino site in trust.

“If the land is taken into trust, it would not be subject to state law and what’s urban and what’s rural,” attorney Dan Kearns told The Battle Ground Reflector . “None of the prohibitions under the Growth Management Act would apply.”

The proposed Cowlitz Casino Resort has been in limbo due to land-into-trust challenges from a rival tribe in Oregon and some local opponents.

Get the Story:
La Center loses bid for sewer extension (The Battle Ground Reflector 8/26) Related Stories:
Cowlitz Tribe plans to pay for $30M highway project near casino (07/02)